'Opening our garden to the public is such fun'

Susan and Jeff Street only began gardening when they retired

A couple who have opened up their garden to visitors for the last 10 years have told how the experience is "jolly good fun" as they won national recognition.

Susan and Jeff Street have been recognised by the National Garden Scheme (NGS), which raises money for charity by enlisting people to hold garden open days.

The couple, from Warton in Lancashire, only began gardening when they retired from the teaching profession in the 2000s.

Last year the 75-year-olds raised £3,500 for the scheme, which will support charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie.

Keen on propagating plants from seeds and cuttings, the pair raise their cash by selling many of the plants they grow.

The couple's garden will be open again this summer

"It has its times when it is quite hectic and other times when it's quiet," Mr Street said.

"Spring is quite a busy time in the garden because things are starting to grow, things need pruning."

He said it was "nice to get appreciation of the work that we've put in and the money we've raised" after being awarded an engraved trowel from the NGS.

The passionate plantsmen have herbaceous borders, climbers, mature trees, roses and a fruit and vegetable patch.

The couple have been recognised by the National Garden Scheme

The back garden is enclosed by a beech hedge and limestone walls with a variety of interesting and colourful shrubs and perennials.

Mrs Street said: "There are other gardens in Warton and we're all really supportive of each other, that's one of the nice things.

"In a way it's like when you are a teacher, you are all supportive and you all make life easier for other people."

The couple's garden will be open again this summer as part of Warton Gardens group on the weekend of 21-22 June.